AECOM 1 Banbridge District Village Plans
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AECOM Banbridge District Village Plans - Leitrim 1 Leitrim 2 Leitrim Aerial Map AECOM Banbridge District Village Plans - Leitrim 3 Contents 1.0 Introduction 5 2.0 Village Context 7 3.0 Village History 9 4.0 Village Analysis 11 5.0 Consultation 19 6.0 Project Proposals/Initiatives 21 7.0 Action Plan 25 8.0 Way Forward 33 9.0 Information Sources/Acknowledgements 37 Appendices A1 PERS Analysis Forms A2 GVA Community Consultation Summary 4 Leitrim AECOM Banbridge District Village Plans - Leitrim 5 1.0 Introduction The settlement name of Leitrim comes Purpose While still in draft form, the policies and designations The Banbridge District Village Plans set out what the residents contained within dBNMAP will remain material considerations from Liatroim, meaning ‘grey ridge’. of Leitrim would like to see in terms of village development over in the assessment of development proposals for Leitrim. the next 5 years. Leitrim is designated as a Small Settlement in dBNMAP. An Area of Townscape Character has been identifi ed at the The Village Plans have been prepared in consultation with the crossroads and a Local Landscape Policy Area along the river residents of Leitrim and those with an interest in the village. and stream corridors. The Disused Transport Route of the old railway cuts through the south of the settlement. Intended Use The intended use is to guide betterment of the village and to Leitrim is also located within the Mourne Area of Outstanding establish actions in the short, medium and long term, that Natural Beauty. meet the objectives of the residents and would contribute positively to progressing the social, economic, ecological and the physical appearance of the village. Actions identifi ed in the action plan can be taken forward by any party identifi ed as a stakeholder for that action but should be taken forward in the knowledge of the others identifi ed where reasonably practicable. Leitrim Development Plan Context The Planning and Local Government Group within the Department of the Environment (formerly Planning Service) is responsible for the administration of planning functions in Northern Ireland, including the preparation of development plans. Leitrim is currently covered by both the Banbridge Area Plan (BAP) 1983-98 and the Banbridge District Rural Area Subject Plan (BDRASP) 1986-1998. The BAP defi ned Leitrim as a Hamlet in the settlement hierarchy, while the BDRASP clarifi ed its development limits. Although beyond the notional end date of 1998 these Plans remain the statutory development plans for Leitrim. The draft Banbridge/Newry and Mourne Area Plan 2015 (dBNMAP) will replace the current plans when adopted. The Planning Appeals Commission (PAC) returned its completed report on dBNMAP to the Department on 26 March 2012. The Department has advised that it is currently assessing the PAC recommendations and that a timetable for publication of the fi nal Plan will be released in due course. 6 River Lagan ASHFIELD/GOWDYSTOWNA GO KINALLEN LAWRENCETOWNLLAW TULLYLISHYLIS WARINGSFORDF LENADERG GILFORDG RD FINNISF BANBRIDGENBR Corbet Lough River Bann CORBETCORB T SCARVA LOUGHBRICKLANDO ND ANNACLONEAN NNE KATESBRIDGEK Loughbrickland Lake MONEYSLANEMO LEITRIM Local Context AECOM Banbridge District Village Plans - Leitrim 7 2.0 Village Context Geographical Location The settlement of Leitrim lies in the south west of the Banbridge District Area. Landscape Character The settlement of Leitrim lies within the Mourne Foothills character area. The landscape pattern is geometric, reinforced by sturdy stone walls and well maintained hedgerows. Areas of gorse and windblown pines are also a feature of the landscape. A key principle for landscape management in this character area is the maintenance of stone walls and management of hedgerows, ensuring conservation of existing landuse patterns. Regional Context National Context Source: http://www.doeni.gov.uk/niea/land-home/landscape_home/country_landscape 8 Leitrim Historical Map 1921 Historic Map reproduced by kind permission of Banbridge District Council AECOM Banbridge District Village Plans - Leitrim 9 3.0 Village History Leitrim Catholic Church There has been a church in Leitirm since 1786, when the building was erected on the site of an old Mass rock, on land donated by the McCartans. The McCartan family contributed generously to the building and maintenance of the church. The church is now in the Gothic style, however it was originally described as a plain, slated, rectangular building with open seats and a gallery. In 1897, a spire was added, having been designed by a young architect from Belfast named Timothy Heavy. Later additions were a mosaic fl oor, marble steps, Stations of the Cross and a Lourdes stained glass window. Source: http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~rosdavies/ PHOTOSwords/DrumgoolandAll.htm Leitrim Presbyterian Church The fi rst communion in this church was held in May 1897 but there was possibly an earlier place of worship here. Source: http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~rosdavies/ PHOTOSwords/DrumgoolandAll.htm 10 AECOM Banbridge District Village Plans - Leitrim 11 4.0 Village Analysis A site visit and appraisal of Leitrim was carried out on the 2nd Spatial Analysis April 2012. The site visit analysis was carried out via PERS review forms and a photo record of the settlement. The spatial analysis below captures the key elements and the settlements topographical features. The purpose behind this Pedestrian Environment Review Survey (PERS) form of diagram is to gain a feeling for the sense of place. PERS or ‘Pedestrian Environment Review Survey’ is a walking audit tool. PERS is used to assess the level of service and quality provided for pedestrians across a range of pedestrian environments. The AECOM design team, along with GVA have used a PERS review to appraise the following types of pedestrian environment: Links, Crossings, Place Check, Public Spaces and Heritage. The PERS forms have been appended to this report under Appendix A1. With this type of audit, the pedestrian environment and place review is qualitative, using the judgement of the consultant design team. This allows the ‘feel’ of the environment to be gauged and assessed from a fi rst time visitor perspective. The qualitative analysis of the places from the perspective of the community will be assessed though detailed community consultation and incorporated into the outcomes of the analysis process. Spatial Analysis Diagram Following the site visit and PERS analysis, the fi ndings were then translated into a tabulated form - a SWOT analysis. SWOT Analysis landscape SWOT analysis has been used to evaluate the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats for Leitrim. A SWOT analysis is categorised by: local Strengths - the characteristics of the place that give it an identity, sense of place, local advantage communityhistory Weaknesses - the characteristics that may be poor within the heart setting village/settlement heritage Opportunities - opportunities are the chances to improve the place/environment/quality of life/regeneration capacity of the homes place Threats - threats are external elements in the environment that could cause a negative infl uence in the village/settlement Ordnance Survey NIMA No. CS&LA156 12 4.1 Photo Record 01 02 03 10 13 14 11 12 04 02 06 09 03 06 07 08 01 05 0401 05 AECOM Banbridge District Village Plans - Leitrim 13 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 14 4.2 Physical Analysis Primary Vehicular Route Mourne Circuit and Slieve 99 Croob Cycle Route Nodes Scrambling Course Local Centre Local Landmark Nursery Derelict Buildings Empty Buildings New Development * Not all sold Development Site 99 Public Green Space Development Site Bus Stop / Route Car Parks / On Street Parking 99 Cycle Route Key Views Existing Public Realm N Ordnance Survey NIMA No. CS&LA156 AECOM Banbridge District Village Plans - Leitrim 15 4.3 Infrastructure Mapping 16 Precedent Images SWOT Analysis Weakness Opportunity Traffi c speeds Strength Threat Combined play area and 1970’s housing Playarea Development Flooding Site Village Core Animal feed yard Ordnance Survey NIMA No. CS&LA156 AECOM Banbridge District Village Plans - Leitrim 17 4.3 SWOT Analysis Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Threats • Peaceful and attractive rural setting • Animal feed yard would benefi t from screening of its • Key building at crossroads is under utilised and • Traffi c speed is a potential threat particularly at service yard presents an opportunity for improving the character Railway Close • Core of the village works well. MAC’s Corner Bar & of the town centre Country Foodstore, the chapel and old barn act as • Old barn building at crossroads under utilised and at • Unfi nished development sites attractive landmark buildings in the area key point in the village • Pocket park potential in the open space beside stream between Old railway Mews and Riverside • Issues around the previous fl oods remain • GAA and Nursery contribute well to the community • Play area is hidden away and limited in scope unresolved and should be fostered • Area of townscape character could be enhanced • 1970’s housing on riverside is poorly integrated with • Economic downturn is negatively impacting on • Leitrim Festival rural environment • Play facilities could be improved inward investment, the growth potential of rural areas and their future job prospects • Historical fl ooding 18 Banbridge District Village Plans Consultation Process Your Village needs you! Community Event Posters and Forms YOUR COMMENTS AND IDEAS Please write your thoughts and ideas down and leave this form with a design team member before you go. Name: Address: AECOM Banbridge District Village Plans - Leitrim 19 5.0 Consultation Making Local Views Count Stage 1 Community Consultation Core Themes Throughout the work in preparing a Village Plan for Leitrim The fi rst round of community consultation was undertaken in While the number and range of comments made by the there has been a considerable level of interaction with the Leitrim, in the GAA Club on Monday 30th April. This was an community and stakeholders is extensive, the core themes are community and key stakeholders.